A nesting instinct that makes you start cleaning closets and organizing your kitchen. If you find yourself filled with energy and driven to clean, primal instincts are pushing you to get your home ready for the new family member.

Practice Run

Baby Talk

Birth contractions are muscle spasms of the uterus that will eventually help push the baby through the birth canal.False labor is contractions that make you think you are in real labor when you're not. They are a false alarm.

On the TV sitcoms, the pregnant woman always grabs her big belly with a look of wide-eyed surprise and announces, "It's time." Unfortunately, labor doesn't usually come on like that. You might spend a lot of time this month timing contractions, grabbing your suitcase, and then stopping short, realizing the contractions have stopped—false labor!

False labor feels just like the real thing. That's why thousands of pregnant women who rush to the hospital are sent home again to wait just a little longer. This is embarrassing, naturally (especially if you've woken your spouse, your parents, and your physician to announce the news), but it's nothing new. When contractions start you can tell, usually, that real labor has not begun if you answer "yes" to these four questions:

Do the contractions stay the same in intensity (not getting worse)?

Do the contractions come in uneven intervals (two minutes apart, then seven minutes apart, then four minutes apart, for example)?

Is the pain in your lower abdomen rather than in your lower back?

Do the contractions stop when you move around or change position?

If you're saying "yes," you're not in real labor yet. When real labor contractions begin, you will find that you cannot walk or talk through them. That's a good time to start packing.

The Real Thing

Baby Talk

Labor is the process by which the body prepares for childbirth.

It would be so nice if there were definite symptoms of labor so every expectant mother would know exactly when labor begins. But labor is different for every woman-and for some women it is a different experience for each of the children they have. The best you can do is know the signs that mean things are moving along and delivery day (D-day) is near.

If you answer "yes" to any of these three questions you might be in labor:

Do contractions occur at regular intervals that are coming closer and closer together and getting more intense?

Do you have lower-back pain (which might be accompanied by a crampy, menstrual feeling)?

Has your water broken? The expression "water broken" refers to a rupture of the membranes of the amniotic sac. When this happens, amniotic fluid will leak from your vagina and make it look like you have wet your pants (always a fun thing when you're in public). If this happens and you haven't begun labor contractions yet, this is a sign that you should begin labor within 24 to 48 hours. It is very important to keep the vaginal area very clean at this point, because the baby is now unprotected from germs. Do not take a bath, have sexual intercourse, or use a tampon to stop the flow of amniotic fluid.

Talk to your doctor about when you should call her about your labor. She'll tell you to time your contractions. Also let her know when they reach a certain frequency and intensity. She'll also tell you not to worry too much about having your baby on the living room floor by accident. All over the world most new mothers arrive at their birthing centers not too soon and not too late. If you pay close attention, you will hear the body signals that say, "It's time to go!"